Method and apparatus for through rotary sub-sea pile-driving

ABSTRACT

The A pile-driving apparatus includes a pile, a shoe tip coupled to a toe of the pile, and a drill string disposed within the pile. The drill string includes a gripping device coupling the drill string to the pile and a hammer deployed into the pile such that the hammer is capable of transmitting a force to the shoe tip. A method, includes positioning a hammer in a pile such that the hammer is capable of transmitting a force to a shoe tip; positioning, in the pile, a portion of drill pipe having a gripping device to engage the pile; and deploying the pile beneath the surface of a body of water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to underwater pile-driving, and, moreparticularly, to through rotary sub-sea pile-driving.

2. Description of the Related Art

Sub-sea, sometimes called “subsurface” in the sense of being under thesurface of the water, pile-driving may be used to drill into thesediment at the bottom of a variety of underwater environments. Forexample, sub-sea pile-driving may be used to facilitate the installationof offshore production structures such as sub-sea platform skirt piles,sub-sea templates, drilling conductors, sub-sea manifolds, and the like.Sub-sea pile-driving may be performed in shallow water, typically lessthan 150 meters in depth, or in deep water.

The pile-driving apparatus typically includes a hammer, which drives aguide shoe tip into the sediment. The hammer and guide shoe tip aretypically suspended from a platform by a crane or some cables, or,alternatively, a drill string and an umbilical. In various embodiments,the umbilical provides air, electricity, and hydraulic oil to thehammer, as well as retrieving the used hydraulic oil from the hammer.Examples of rigs used in sub-sea pile-driving include jack-up rigs,derrick barges, submersible rigs, semi-submersible rigs, drill ships,and the like. These types of rigs are sometimes referred to as mobileoffshore drilling units (“MODUs”).

Conventional sub-sea pile-driving methods suffer from a number ofdisadvantages. For example, friction from the sediment beneath the mudline may reduce the penetration depth of the guide shoe tip. For yetanother example, sub-sea pile-driving typically uses hydraulic oil,which may leak or spill into the undersea environment. Reels used tostore and deploy the umbilical used to provide and retrieve thehydraulic oil may also consume valuable deck space on the platform.Furthermore, conventional pile-driving techniques may be limited toshallow water applications, at least in part because of the largehydraulic pressure that must be supplied to the hammer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises, in its various aspects and embodiments, anmethod and apparatus for driving a pile. The pile-driving apparatuscomprises a pile, a shoe tip coupled to a toe of the pile, and a drillstring disposed within the pile. The drill string comprises a grippingdevice coupling the drill string to the pile and a hammer deployed intothe pile such that the hammer is capable of transmitting a force to theshoe tip. The method, comprises positioning a hammer in a pile such thatthe hammer is capable of transmitting a force to a shoe tip;positioning, in the pile, a portion of drill pipe having a grippingdevice to engage the pile; and deploying the pile beneath the surface ofa body of water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates, in an assembled, partially-sectioned,plan view of one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates a portion of the deployment of thepile-driving apparatus of FIG. 1 in one particular embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a shoe joint for the apparatus of FIG. 1, includingan optional membrane covering the end thereof;

FIG. 4 depicts a clamp for clamping an umbilical of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 to the drill string thereof;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first percussive hammer as may be used in theapparatus of FIG. 1, the percussive hammer being a nitrogen caphydraulic percussive hammer, with control umbilical;

FIG. 6 illustrates a second percussive hammer as may be used inalternative embodiments of the present invention, the percussive hammerbeing an automatic reciprocating hydraulic percussive hammer;

FIG. 7 illustrates a port collar;

FIG. 8 depicts a telescoping pipe joint as may be employed in theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 depicts a filtration for a filter sub as may be used in somealternative embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 depicts a gripping device that may be used to couple the drillpipe of the apparatus in FIG. 1 to the pile thereof;

FIG. 11A-FIG. 11D illustrates one particular embodiment of thepile-driving apparatus in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 12A-FIG. 12D illustrate a second particular embodiment of thepile-driving apparatus in FIG. 1 alternative to the embodiment in FIG.11A - FIG. 11D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In theinterest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation aredescribed in this specification. It will of course be appreciated thatin the development of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for singlejourney conveyance of a sub-sea pile-driving device from the surface ofa body of water to the sea floor, and the subsequent concussiveinstallation of sub-sea caissons, tubular piles, and/or surface sectionsof well casing using the sub-sea pile driving device. The sub-sea piledriving device may, in various embodiments, be used in either shallowwater or deep water environments. The caissons or tubular piles may, inone embodiment, be used to attach various structures to the sea floor.Examples of the various structures include sub-sea platform skirt piles,sub-sea templates, drilling conductors, sub-sea manifolds, and the like.The well casing is generally used for providing a stable foundation fordrilling oil wells at depths in excess of 600′.

FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates, in an assembled, partially-sectionedplan view, one embodiment of a pile-driving apparatus 100 in accordancewith the present invention. The pile-driving apparatus 100 comprises apile 103, a shoe tip 106 coupled to a toe 109 of the pile 103, and adrill string 112 disposed within the pile 103. The drill string 112includes a gripping device 115 and a percussive hammer 118. The grippingdevice couples the drill string 112 to the pile 106.

The percussive hammer 118 is deployed into the pile 106 such that thepercussive hammer 118 is capable of transmitting a force to the shoe tip106 directly or indirectly. Some embodiments are “toe-driven.” In theseembodiments, the shoe tip 106 is coupled to the pile 103 at the toe 109thereof, such that the percussive hammer 118 delivers the force directlyto the shoe tip 106 at the toe 109. Some embodiments are “top-driven.”In these embodiments, the shoe tip 106 is coupled to the top 121 of thepile 103 such that the percussive hammer 118 delivers the forceindirectly to the shoe tip 106 at the top 121. The embodiment in FIG. 1is toe-driven.

FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates a portion of the deployment of thepile-driving apparatus 100 in one particular embodiment. In FIG. 2, thepile-driving apparatus 100 is deployed from a semi-submersible rig 200after rig-up. However, the rig 200 may be any of a variety of MODUs,including, but are not limited to, jack-up rigs, semi-submersible rigs,and drill ships. The drill string (also known as a drill pipe column) isgenerally used to suspend the pile 103 from the rig 200 and deploy thepile 103 beneath the surface 206 of a body of water 209. In oneembodiment, the casing is suspended from the rig by the drill string anddescends through the rotary table as additional stands of drill pipe areadded. Suitable rigs may include, but are not limited to, jack-up rigs,semi-submersible rigs, and drill ships. The pile-driving apparatus 100is suspended from the rig 200 by the drill string 112 and lowered to thesea floor 215. On contact with the sea floor 215, the operation of thepercussive hammer 118 delivers the force, directly or indirectly, to theshoe tip 106. Because the shoe tip 106 is coupled to the pile 103, theforce of the impact is transferred through the shoe tip 106 to the pile103 to drive the pile 106 into the sea floor 215. Note that, in thisdescription, the labels “toe” and “top” are defined relative to theorientation of the pile-driving apparatus 100 during deployment, asshown in FIG. 2.

Returning to FIG. 1, as previously noted, the pile-driving apparatus 100shown therein is but one embodiment and the invention admits variationin the implementation of the apparatus of the invention. One suchvariation was previously mentioned, i e., the apparatus may betoe-driven or top-driven. Another such variation is the nature of thepile 103. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the pile 103 comprises a surfacecasing installation or a deep water conductor. In the interest ofclarity, the term “casing” will hereinafter be understood to refer toeither a surface casing installation or a deep water conductor. In thisparticular embodiment, the casing includes a plurality of casing joints.

Also in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the shoe tip 106 is deployed in thepile 103 and the percussive hammer 118 is deployed in the pile 103 suchthat the percussive hammer 111 is capable of transmitting a force to theshoe tip 106. For example, in one embodiment, the shoe tip 106 may bedeployed in one casing joint. A vocationally designed, or implementationspecific, shoe joint 300, shown in FIG. 3, is provided in the casing toaccept energy transfer, i.e., the aforementioned force, from thepercussive hammer 118 and transmit the force to the guide shoe tip 106.In one embodiment, the shoe joint 300 may include a membrane 303, alsoshown in FIG. 3, to prevent ingress of material from the sea floor 215during self-penetration. In one embodiment, the shoe joint 300 may allowsubsequent piles 103 to pass through by hammering or drilling whileclosing the pile 103.

The percussive hammer 118 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is a hydraulichammer. The percussive hammer 118 may receive hydraulic oil provided byan umbilical 127 to generate the force that is used to drive the shoetip 106 into the sea floor 215, shown in FIG. 2. The umbilical 127 maybe coupled to the drill string 112 by quick attach and release clamps,such as the clamp 400 in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the percussive hammer118 may employ ambient water, or other fluids such as soapy water asdescribed further below, to generate the force that is used to drive theshoe tip 106 into the sea floor 215. The percussive hammer 118 in thisembodiment is generally controlled by signals transmitted via theumbilical 127.

The percussive hammer 118 of FIG. 1, shown in greater detail in FIG. 5,is an accelerated fluid driven hammer controlled by signals conveyed byumbilical 127 from the surface. The hydraulic fluid is, in thisparticular embodiment, derived from the ambient seawater. The tip 503 ofthe percussive hammer 118 displaces soil and the pile 103 is pulled downby the engagement ring, thus following the percussive hammer 118 intothe sea floor 215, shown in FIG. 2, and through the formation inquestion. The percussive hammer 118, in one implementation of thisparticular embodiment, is an IHC S-90 hydraulic hammer, commerciallyavailable from BJ Services, Inc. at:

Hareness Circle

Altens, Aberdeen AB1 4YL

United Kingdom

Phone: 44-1224-249-678

Fax: 44-1224-249-106

Email enquiries.tubular@bjservices.co.uk

Other suitable hydraulic percussive hammers known to the art may beemployed.

However, the percussive hammer 118 need not be hydraulic in allembodiments. For instance, the percussive hammer 118 may also be rotatedfrom the rig 200, in FIG. 2, by the drill string 112. The rotationalpercussive hammer may engage the pile 103 through a landing ring (notshown) in a shoe joint (also not shown) of the pile 103. The hole wouldbe bailed by return of fluids (e.g., seawater derived) discharged thruthe top 121 of the pile 103 to open ocean or via a port collar, such asthe port collar 130, first shown in FIG. 1 and best shown in FIG. 7, tosea floor 215 that can be closed after drive is completed. The automaticreciprocating percussion hammer may be implemented using, for instance,the automatic reciprocating percussion hammer sold as the Fluid Hammer185 mud hammer, available from

SDS Digger Tools, Pty., Ltd.

49 Vulcan Road

Canning Vale, Western Australia 6155.

Note this hammer is relatively small and is primarily suitable drivingrelatively small piles, e.g. 30′ piles in soft conditions with thefeeble existing item. Rotational percussive hammers used as drillingtools for pulling casing in by drilling with drill bits, as opposed topiling, may also be adapted to toe drive.

In several instances above, reference is made to the use of ambientseawater in various embodiments of the invention. In those embodiments,the seawater is filtered by, for example, a filtration unit 900, shownin FIG. 9, of a filter sub (not otherwise shown) assembled into thedrill string 112. The seawater ingresses the filtration unit 900 fromthe top 903 thereof, is filtered by the filter screen 906 within thefilter housing 909, and egresses through the bottom 912. The filtrationunit 900 also includes a plug 915. Some embodiments may employ multiplefiltration units 900. The position of the filtration unit(s) 900 withinthe drill string 112 will be implementation specific, but will generallybe above the hammer 118. The seawater would also be filtered prior toentry into the drill string. Thus, in some alternative embodiments,pressurized ambient seawater is conveyed via the drill string 112 andprovided to the percussive hammer 118.

Various other fluids may be provided to the percussive hammer 118 inassorted alternative embodiments. In one embodiment, the umbilical 127provides hydraulic oil to the percussive hammer 118. The umbilical mayalso retrieve the hydraulic oil. In one embodiment, lubricating fluidsmay be provided to the percussive hammer 118 via the umbilical or,alternatively, via the drill string 112. The lubricating fluids mayinclude, but are not limited to, soapy water, coco fatty ketaine,various ethoxylated compounds such as alkyl phenols, fatty alcohols,amines, amides, diamines, quaternary ammonium chlorides, as well assulphonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensate, sulfonatedstyreiemaleic anhydrides, and various polyacrylamides. The lubricatingfluids may be used to reduce friction between the formation and thepile/casing. Additional fluids that may be provided to the percussivehammer are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,665, U.S. Pat. No.5,020,598, U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,711, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,513, whichare incorporated herein by reference.

A diverter valve system (not shown) may, in various embodiments, be usedto direct the flow of the fluids. For example, the diverter valve systemmay redirect hydraulic fluid, such as the ambient seawater, to the toeof the shoe joint. Alternatively, the diverter valve system may be usedto direct the hydraulic fluid, such as the ambient seawater, back intothe pile 103 for eventual return to the surface of the sea floor 215 ortile surrounding body of water. Filter systems may also be included inthe drill string for filtering the various fluids. For example, seawater may be filtered as it passes into and/or out of the drill string112.

Thus, any given embodiment may use one or more of the following fluidconveyance techniques:

-   -   for deep-water applications it is considered feasible to utilize        the drill pipe column to carry the fluid to the Percussion        device in question;    -   in certain instances it may practical to use coil tubing in        either concentric or single tube configuration;    -   filtration media can be introduced by virtue of filter subs at        strategic and readily accessible points in the conveyance        system; and    -   for shallow water jack-up installations, any of the above or        standard hydraulic hoses can be considered.        Still other fluid conveyance techniques known to the art may be        employed in alternative embodiments.

Vocationally designed, or implementation specific, adaptor sub and/orcrossover components (not shown) may also be included in the casing tomerge individual items into the operational system. As is well known inthe art, the assembly of drill strings frequently utilize adaptors,crossovers, etc. to line up connections and to provide interfacesbetween tools and pieces of pipe. Also, the use of these types ofcomponents is implementation specific, as the design for any given drillstring will be unique for the given goals and conditions. The drillstring 112 of the present invention, shown in FIG. 1, employs thesetypes of components in accordance with conventional practice.

Returning to FIG. 1, in the illustrated embodiment, the surface casinginstallation may also include one or more telescopic drill pipe sections124, shown in greater detail in FIG. 8 The telescopic drill pipesections 124 may be used to position the percussive hammer 118 withinthe pile 103. In one embodiment, the telescopic drill pipe sections 124are capable of being locked and unlocked. In one embodiment, thetelescopic drill pipe sections 124 may be locked and/or unlocked byrotating the drill string 112 coupled to the pile 103. However, it willbe appreciated that the telescopic drill pipe sections 124 are notnecessary for the practice of the present invention. In alternativeembodiments, a variety of hammer suspension systems, such as slings andthe like, may also be used to position the percussive hammer 118 withinthe pile 103.

As previously mentioned a drill pipe section having a gripping device115, shown best in FIG. 10, is also deployed in the pile 103. Thegripping device 115 is set and/or unset by the rotation of the drillstring 112. The gripping device 115 is substantially coupled to the pile103 and holds the pile 103 substantially fixed with respect to the drillstring 112. In the present context, the term “substantially” is used toindicate that, in the practice of the present invention, the grippingdevice 115 may not hold the pile 103 perfectly fixed with respect to thedrill string 112. Those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefitof this disclosure will appreciate that the gripping device 115 mayallow some movement of the pile 103 with respect to the drill string 112during operation of the present invention. The amount of movement is amatter of design choice and not material to the present invention. Thegripping device 115 will typically engage the hammer 118 to the pile 103at the top of the pile 103, but this is not necessary to the practice ofthe invention. The gripping device 115 may engage the hammer 118 to thepile 103 at the bottom of the pile 103, but additional support devices,such as slings, etc. may be desirable to support the weight of the pile103 and drill string 112.

FIG. 11A-FIG. 11D and FIG. 12A-FIG. 12D illustrate a two particular,alternative embodiments of the embodiment of the pile-driving apparatusin FIG. 1 alternative to the embodiment in FIG. 11A-FIG. 11D. FIG. 11Aillustrates a toe-drive embodiment 1100, with enlarged views of thesections 1103, 1106, and 1109 in FIG. 11B-FIG. 11D. Similarly, FIG. 12Aillustrates a top-drive embodiment 1200, with enlarged views of thesections 1203, 1206 in FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C-FIG. 12D, respectively.Note that both FIG. 12C and FIG. 12D are enlarged views of the section1206, one a plan view and the other a partially sectioned view,respectively.

Turning now to FIG. 11A-FIG. 11D, the section 1103, best shown in FIG.11B, contains the gripping device 1112, a part of the drill string 115,disposed within the pile 1118, which is a casing string in thisparticular embodiment. The umbilical 1121 is also shown running throughthe interior 1124 of the pile 1118 and, in FIG. 11C, to the hammer 1127.FIG. 11B also shows a telescopic drill pipe section 1130 intermediatethe gripping device 112 and the hammer 1127, and interfacing with thehammer 1127 through an interface sub 1133. The pile 1118 terminates in ashoe collar 1136 and the embodiment 1100 terminates in a ported shoe1139 defining several ports 1142 (only one indicated) through whichfluids (not shown) may pass as described elsewhere.

Referring now to FIG. 12A-FIG. 12D, the top-drive embodiment 1200includes a sling 1205 fastened to the wings 1207 of a drill plate 1206,shown in FIG. 12B, as part of the drill string 1209. The sling 1205 isalso fastened to the pile 1212, which is also a casing string, tosupport the weight of the pile 1212, as is shown in FIG. 12C-FIG. 12D.(To release the pile, the fasteners 1213 can be explosive bolts that areset off or can be released through the use,of a remotely operatedvehicle, not shown.) Note that, in some alternative embodiments, thehammer 1218 may be coupled to the drill string 1209 in some othermanner, for example, through an external gripper known as an “elevator”in combination with a sling. A telescopic drill pipe section 1215 ispositioned intermediate the drill plate 1206 and the hammer 1218, asbest shown in FIG. 12B. The hammer 1218 receives power and controlsignals, etc. over the umbilical 1221. The hammer 1218 in top-driveembodiment 1200 interfaces with the pile 1212 through a chaser sub 1224and an interface 1227.

To “rig-up” the pile-driving apparatus 100 in a toe-drive embodiment,percussive hammer 118 is deployed into the pile 103. In variousalternative embodiments, the rig-up process may also include positioningone or more transfer subs, filter subs, flexible hoses, diverter valveassemblies, and at least one joint of drill pipe. The pile-drivingapparatus 100 is racked back into a derrick 218, shown in FIG. 2. Inthis particular embodiment, the pile is a casing string and the casingstring is made up, in a manner well known to those of ordinary skill inthe art, starting with the shoe joint and extending to the desiredlength. The pile 103 to be driven is then set in a rotary table/drillfloor.

A false rotary table (not shown) is positioned over the pile 103, havingbeen set in the rotary table/drill floor (also not shown), to supportthe running of the percussive hammer 118 and any other desiredcomponents down inside of the pile 103. In one embodiment, thepercussive hammer 118 is positioned inside the pile 103. A first standof drill pipe is added. Although not necessary for the practice of thepresent invention, in one embodiment, the first stand of drill pipe mayinclude a lockable telescoping section 124 of drill pipe 112. Additionalstands of drill pipe may then be added.

When the percussive hammer 118 is approximately at the tip of the shoejoint, a further stand of drill pipe, which includes an internalgripping device, is added. If so desired, the internal gripping devicemay be set by, for example, rotating the drill string 112. The hammer118 is landed on the shoe driving ring and half the stroke of thetelescopic section 124 of drill pipe is compressed. The internalgripping device 115 is then engages and the pile 103, hammer 118, anddrill string 112 is lifted as one assembly by the drill string 112.

The pile-driving apparatus 100 is then tripped down to the sea floor215, shown in FIG. 2, by adding further stands of drill pipe. In oneembodiment, a grooved bowl and slips may be used as each stand of drillpipe is added. In one alternative embodiment, power slips may be used aseach stand of drill pipe is added. The umbilical (not shown) is fed ontothe drill string 112 and, in one embodiment, supported by the quickattach and release clamps 400, shown in FIG. 4. Once the sea floor 215has been tagged, and the pile 103 is substantially in contact with aselected location on the sea floor 215, self-penetration is logged untilthe combined weight of the drill string 112, the pile 103, and thepercussive hammer 1118 is supported by the sea floor 215 except forweight required to keep pile from buckling. The operation of thepercussive hammer 118 then commences to drive the pile 103.

During the pile-driving process, the percussive hammer 118 uses a primemover fluid to generate the force, which is transmitted to the guideshoe tip to excavate a hole. In one embodiment, the prime mover fluid ishydraulic fluid provided by the umbilical. The hydraulic fluid may alsobe retrieved by the umbilical. In alternative embodiments, pressurizedambient sea water may be used as the prime mover fluid in the percussivehammer 118. For example, ambient sea water may be provided to thepercussive hammer, which may use the sea water as the prime mover fluidwhen operating the percussive hammer in deep water. When ambient seawater is used as the prime mover fluid, the size of the umbilical may bereduced. In alternative embodiments, rotation of the drill string 112may be used as the prime mover in the percussive hammer 118.

Material from the hole created by the pile-driving process is bailed byreturning fluids, such as ambient sea water. In one embodiment, thereturning fluids are discharged through the top of the casing to theopen ocean. In an alternative embodiment, the material is dischargedthrough a port collar to the sea floor 215. If the pile tip encountersstiff resistance or sandy layers, fluid may be dispensed from the tip toreduce external skin friction. In one embodiment, spent hydraulic fluid,such as the ambient sea water, may be dispensed. In alternativeembodiments, other fluids, such as the aforementioned lubricants, may bedispensed.

Upon completion of driving, e.g. when the pile 103 has been driven tothe desired depth, the drill string is rotated to unlock the internalgripping device 115. In one embodiment, the drill string 112 may also berotated to relock the telescoping drill pipe section 124. The percussivehammer 118 is then withdrawn from the casing find tripped back to therotary. Once in the rotary, the percussive hammer 118 is rigged-down. Inone embodiment, rig-down is the reverse of rig-up.

In some embodiments, the pile 103 may be driven in stages. A second pile103 may, for instance, be run into the rotary and made up to a desiredlength. The second pile 103 may have a reduced diameter and may beinternally driven or top-driven. If the second pile is top-driven, asacrificial centralizing ring may, in one embodiment, be included toallow a sleeve to pass the top of a second stage pile and establishcontact with an anvil face.

More particularly, when the first pile 103 is driven to a desired depth,the gripping device 115 unset to release the hammer 118, and equipmentthe drill string 112 tripped back to the rotary, the hammer 118 isracked back into the derrick 218. A second, reduced diameter pile 103 isrun into the rotary and made up to required length. Dependent on lengthand diameter of this second stage, this pile-driving apparatus 100 maybe internally driven or top-driven. The equipment and procedure forinternal driving follow closely the procedure for the first stage. Inthe instance of top driving for the second stage, the pile-drivingapparatus 100 is set up with a sacrificial centralizing ring to allowthe sleeve to pass over the top of the second stage pile and establishcontact with the anvil face. The hammer is then activated and drivingproceeds to desired depth. For internal drives the same procedure forfirst stage is followed. Choice of top drive versus internal “toe ofpile” energy application is determined by the prevalent soil conditionson the location in question. The second stage is landed on the internalenergy transfer ring in the toe joint of the previously driven section

By using the present invention, in its various embodiments andimplementations, one or more of a number of advantages may be realized.For example:

-   -   the hydraulic pressure supplied to the percussive hammer may be        reduced such that the present invention may be used in deep        water pile-driving applications; by driving casing through        shallow water flow sand(s), the underbalanced condition found        after cementing, which may initiate shallow water flow, may be        reduced or prevented;    -   friction from the sediment beneath the mud line may be reduced        and the penetration depth of the guide shoe tip increased;    -   in deep water pile-driving, the use of hydraulic oil may be        reduced, or eliminated, which may reduce, or eliminate, the        potential for hydraulic oil to leak or spill into the undersea        environment;    -   the size of the umbilical may be reduced, which may reduce the        number of reels used to store and deploy the umbilical, which        may also increase the amount of available deck space on the        platform;    -   cutting disposal from drilling may be negated for environmental        and economic advantage; and consolidation of the formation may        lead to higher pile foundation capacity and seal flows of gas an        fluid that may otherwise he initiated.

Still other advantages arising from one or more of the embodiments andimplementations may become apparent to those in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure.

Moreover, the present invention is expected to enhance prime equipmentutilization by reducing the time required to carry out installations ofcaissons or tubular piles into the sea floor 215. By carrying out someor all of the above described functions “off the critical path,” theinvention may accelerate the program of batch conductor installations indeep water. The invention may also help overcome certain hostileenvironments found below the sea floor 215 in the early stages of theconstruction of oil wells in deep water conditions.

This concludes the detailed description. The particular embodimentsdisclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modifiedand practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to thoseskilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein.Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of constructionor design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. Itis therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above maybe altered or modified and all such variations are considered within thescope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection soughtherein is as set forth in the claims below.

1. (canceled)
 2. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the pile comprises acasing string, a deep water pile, a shallow water pile, a pipe line endmanifold (“PLEM”) pile, a sub-sea template, a manifold pile, a tensionleg platform anchor pile and a drill rig mooring pile.
 3. The apparatusof claim 15, wherein the shoe tip includes a membrane covering.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the shoe tip is coupled to the pileinterior.
 5. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the shoe tip is coupledto the pile exterior.
 6. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the hammeris coupled to the pile at the top thereof.
 7. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the hammer is coupled to the pile at the toe thereof.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the hammer is a percussive hammer or arotation powered hammer.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the drill string further includes a gripping device by which thedrill string is coupled to the pile.
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled) 13.(canceled)
 14. (canceled)
 15. An apparatus, comprising: a pile; a shoetip deployed at a tip of the pile; and a hammer coupled to the pile suchthat the hammer is capable of transmitting a force to the shoe tip. 16.The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a portion of drill pipehaving a lockable telescoping section deployed in the pile.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the pile includes a shoe joint capable ofreceiving the force from the hammer and transmitting said force to theshoe tip.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The apparatus of claim 15, furthercomprising a valve system to direct a fluid to at least one of the shoetip and the pile.
 20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising agripping device coupled to the hammer and coupled to the pile.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 15, further comprising a sling by which the hammer iscoupled to the pile.
 22. (canceled)
 23. A method, comprising:positioning a hammer relative to a pile such that the hammer is capableof transmitting a force to a shoe tip; positioning a portion of drillpipe to engage the pile; and deploying the pile beneath the surface of abody of water.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein deploying the pilecomprises deploying pile such that the shoe tip is in contact with afirst selected location on a floor of the body of water.
 25. The methodof claim 23, wherein positioning the hammer includes positioning thehammer such that the hammer is capable of transmitting a force directlyto the shoe tip.
 26. The method of claim 23, wherein positioning thehammer includes positioning the hammer such that the hammer is capableof transmitting a force indirectly to the shoe tip.
 27. An apparatus,comprising: means for positioning a hammer relative to a pile such thatthe hammer is capable of transmitting a force to a shoe tip; meansengaging the hammer to the pile; and means for deploying the pilebeneath the surface of a body of water.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27,further comprising means for transmitting a force from the hammer to theshoe tip such that the shoe tip penetrates the floor at the firstselected location.
 29. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprisingmeans for providing a lubricating fluid proximate the shoe tip. 30.(canceled)
 31. (canceled)
 32. (canceled)
 33. (canceled)
 34. A method fordeploying a pile-driving apparatus, the method comprising: deploying thepile-driving apparatus; and single tripping the rigged-up pile-drivingapparatus to the seabed.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein rigging upthe pile-driving apparatus includes: positioning a percussive hammerrelative to a pile such that the percussive hammer is capable oftransmitting a force to a shoe tip; and positioning, in the pile, aportion of drill pipe having a gripping device to engage the pile. 36.The method of claim 34, wherein deploying the rigged-up pile-drivingapparatus through the rotary of the drilling rig includes deploying therigged-up pile-driving apparatus through a rotary of a mobile offshoredrilling unit.
 37. The method of claim 34, further deploying therigged-up pile-driving apparatus through the rotary of a drilling rig.38. (canceled)
 39. (canceled)
 40. (canceled)
 41. (canceled) 42.(canceled)
 43. (canceled)
 44. (canceled)
 45. (canceled)
 46. (canceled)47. (canceled)
 48. (canceled)
 49. (canceled)
 50. (canceled) 51.(canceled)
 52. (canceled)
 53. (canceled)
 54. A method, comprising:driving a pile into a floor under a body of water; and liquefying thesoil into which the pile is being driven.
 55. The method of claim 54,wherein liquefying the soil includes injecting a fluid from within thepile into the soil.
 56. The method of claim 55, wherein injecting thefluid includes injecting ambient seawater.
 57. The method of claim 56,wherein injecting the fluid further includes injecting a lubricant. 58.The method of claim 57, wherein injecting the lubricant includesinjecting at least one of soapy water, coco fatty ketaine, variousethoxylated compounds such as alkyl phenols, fatty alcohols, amines,amides, diamines, quaternary ammonium chlorides, as well as sulphonatednaphthalene formaldehyde condensate, sulfonated styreiemaleicanhydrides, and various polyacrylamides.
 59. The method of claim 55,wherein injecting the fluid includes injecting a lubricant.
 60. Themethod of claim 59, wherein injecting the lubricant includes injectingat least one of soapy water, coco fatty ketaine, various ethoxylatedcompounds such as alkyl phenols, fatty alcohols, amines, amides,diamines, quaternary ammonium chlorides, as well as sulphonatednaphthalene formaldehyde condensate, sulfonated styreiemaleicanhydrides, and various polyacrylamides.
 61. The method of claim 55,wherein injecting the fluid includes injecting spent prime mover fluid.62. The method of claim 23, wherein gripping the pile includes grippingthe pile at the top thereof.
 63. The method of claim 23, whereingripping the pile includes gripping the interior of the pile.
 64. Themethod of claim 23, wherein gripping the pile includes gripping theexterior thereof via a sling.
 65. A pile-driving apparatus, comprising:a pile; a valve system to direct a fluid to the toe of the pile; and aplurality of fluid injection ports defined at the toe of the pile. 66.The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the pile includes a shoe jointcapable of receiving a driving force and transmitting the force to theshoe tip.
 67. The apparatus of claim 65, further comprising a shoe tipdeployed at the toe of the pile, and wherein the shoe tip defines thefluid injection ports and the valve system further directs the fluid tothe shoe tip.
 68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the shoe tip iscoupled to the toe of the pile on the interior thereof.
 69. A method,comprising: positioning a hammer relative to a pile such that the hammeris capable of transmitting a force to a shoe tip; and gripping the pileto engage the hammer to the pile.
 70. The method of claim 69, whereinpositioning the hammer includes positioning the hammer such that thehammer is capable of transmitting a force directly to the shoe tip. 71.The method of claim 69, wherein positioning the hammer includespositioning the hammer such that the hammer is capable of transmitting aforce indirectly to the shoe tip.
 72. The apparatus of claim 15, whereinthe hammer comprises a portion of a drill string.